At Faay, quality improvement is an ongoing process. We examine what can be done faster, more accurately and make sure things can be done better. This includes the field of thermal insulation and airtightness.
Insulating a home pays. Energy is a decisive factor in the total cost of living. Unfortunately, a lot of heat is often lost unnecessarily through the roof. It is therefore essential to install roof insulation in the attic or flat roof.
By sealing all seams, cracks and openings for pipework as completely as possible during construction, with an appropriate filler, tape or foil, you can immediately make a good start at making the home airtight.
Nevertheless, joints are the most frequent cause of air leaks. 60% of air leaks occur at the roof joints. Of these, more than 80% are accounted for by air leaks at joints between products of different suppliers. These include joints between the roof and façade, or the roof and roof lights.
Previously, after installing our Wall-in-One facing walls and our PG Roofing roof panels, the gaps and seams were sealed with polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam is a reliable sealant. But this is not the cause of the problem.
Polyurethane barely responds at all to heat or cold. It is the materials to which polyurethane adheres that are mostly responsible for movement. If polyurethane foam is used correctly, this is not a major issue: ensuring correct application is the real problem. Polyurethane foam is often applied incorrectly (layer thickness, pre-moistening, layers applied on top of one another, etc.), which can eventually result in cracks and thus air flow.
These errors are partially the result of the low degree of co-ordination between building elements. Another disadvantage of polyurethane is that it often does not provide a complete seal around the whole joint. It is often said that the airtightness provided by polyurethane foam only lasts until the completion of the building, not throughout its working life.
We have specifically focused on this critical point, and have searched for other possibilities. We looked for a solution that would allow the desired airtightness to be achieved simply and effectively.
Are there durable alternatives to polyurethane foam?
Absolutely! We investigated the alternatives and eventually came up with sealing band. The PG Seal band is specially designed to create durable, airtight joints. By using PG Seal band in combination with our PG Roofing panels, we can achieve a low Qv10 (air permeability), and the highest airtightness class (class 4) in accordance with NEN-EN 12207. In addition, it is quick and easy to work with.
This very fine semi-closed-cell polyurethane foam has excellent air sealing properties and complies with the strictest requirements for airtight and climate-neutral construction. This makes it a good alternative to polyurethane foam!
